For the third year in a row, a record number of people took part in the Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs. Over 5,500 runners completed Sunday’s Worcester City Half Marathon, 10K and Young Athletes Run, after 200 participants in Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track relay on Saturday. The two-day festival was organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council, and sponsored by local insurance broker Sutcliffe & Co.
The 2026 Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs kicked off on Saturday 12 September with Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track, when family teams between three and five members took on a 10K relay together at Worcester Racecourse. The noisy and colourful event put the focus on fun and providing an opportunity for families to thoroughly enjoy exercising together.
On Sunday 13 September, the action began with the Young Athletes Run. Alex Velasquez won the one-mile race in five minutes and 54 seconds. Ayomide Babatunde was second in 6:39, with Aidan Yarnold third in 6:42. The girls’ race was won by Phoebe Price in 7:11, followed by Elin Bidwell (7:16) and Rose Hammond (7:36). Ben Bean won the 3K race in 10:45, ahead of Frederick Unwin (10:52) and Benjamin Martin (11:40). Saffi Reid won the girls’ race in 12:10, with Alice Thompson in second (12:21) and Ffion Bidwell third (12:49).
It was a home win in the Worcester City 10K, with Luke Jones of Worcester AC crossing the line first in 31:18. Adam Hill of Birmingham Running Athletics & Triathlon Club was second in 32:11, and Andrew Jeavons of Worcester AC was third in 32:28. It was another win for the Worcester AC in the women’s Worcester City 10K. Lauren Kennard won the race in 35:12, followed by Millie Smith of Blackheath & Bromley Harriers (35:36) and Lydia Mann (36:25).
Thomas Blunt of Shrewsbury AC won the Worcester City Half Marathon in 71:57. George Paton of Yeovil Town RRC was second in 72:08 and Tom Hollis of Lonely Goat RC was third in 72:12. The women’s Worcester City Half Marathon was won by Madeleine Oswell in 78:13, followed by Lucy Mapp of Huntingdonshire AC (78:46) and Julia Bijl of Clapham Chasers (81:16).
All of the races were started by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Tor Pingree. Along with leading club athletes and those pursuing personal bests, many participants were raising money for good causes, including a big team who were supporting official charity partner Acorns Children’s Hospice. Large crowds lined the streets to cheer on the runners, and an army of volunteers helped to stage the event. Other event partners included Worcester Physiotherapy Clinic, Active Foot Company, Worcester Whitehouse, BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester and Worcester News.
Event director Allison Curbishley comments: “We’ve been amazed and delighted by the sustained growth of the Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs. To see an extra thousand participants after last year’s record number was brilliant, and it created a fantastic spectacle. Of course, that meant that we needed even more volunteers than usual, but as always Worcester delivered! We’re grateful to everyone who ran, spectated or helped out, and to Sutcliffe & Co, Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, and all of our other partners.”
Duncan Sutcliffe, managing director of headline sponsor Sutcliffe & Co, said: “Worcester City Runs just gets bigger and better every year! Alongside the inspiring runners, many of whom are raising money for fantastic charities, thousands of people flocked to Worcester city centre to show their support. As sponsors of the weekend, we couldn’t be prouder of what the event brings to the city: energy, excitement, and a real passion for supporting the local community. We’re already looking forward to next year!”
The 2027 Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs will take place on 11 and 12 September. For more information about the Worcester City Runs, visit www.worcestercityrun.com.
